Potentially harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, might be present in raw nuts. That’s because nuts are sometimes thrown on or fall to the ground during harvesting. If the soil is contaminated with bacteria, the nuts will easily come into contact with the bacteria food.
Contaminated water might also introduce harmful bacteria, either during harvest or post-harvesting.สมัคร UFABET
In fact, Salmonella has been detected in raw nuts, including almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts and pistachios.
One study reported that nearly 1% of samples of various nuts contained Salmonella. With the highest contamination rate in macadamia nuts and lowest in hazelnuts. It was not detected in pecans.
However, the amount of Salmonella detected was low, so it might not cause illness in healthy individuals.
Though outbreaks due to contaminated nuts are uncommon, they’re very serious.
In the US, consuming raw almonds has been linked to a Salmonella outbreak. While consuming in-shell hazelnuts has been associated with an outbreak of E. coli
In order to reduce Salmonella, all almonds in the US today are required to be pasteurized .
While roasting nuts reduces the number of bacteria on them. Salmonella was detected in one sample of roasted pistachios in one study. Another study found no Salmonella or E. coli in roasted nuts.
Furthermore, nuts may contain the toxic carcinogen aflatoxin, which is produced by fungi that sometimes contaminate nuts and grains.
Summary: Raw nuts may contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella. Aflatoxin may also be present in nuts. Proper handling and storage is the best way to prevent contamination.